It is thrilling to know that you can make your business run better if you know what every department does. Almost everyone has heard the expression, “knowledge is power.” When it comes to operating your business, this is definitely true. Take time right now to look at your business. Do you know everything it takes to make your business run from day-to-day? If the answer is yes, excellent. If the answer is no, get out a pen and some paper, take notes, there is some work for you to do.
Good employees are a special and treasured resource. A mistake often made by entrepreneurs is making employees indispensable to a business’ success. When an employee is indispensable, your business will be seriously damaged or nay fail if a key employee leaves. You should take steps to be sure business operations continue if you are away from the business. Similarly, things should continue smoothly if a key employee leaves the business.
Do not make any employee crucial or indispensable to your business. A position or work function may be indispensable of course, but no person should have the power to stop your business operations. Make a list of all the things it takes to make your business operate. Next look at the list to see if there is any function you cannot perform. Start today and learn how to do each job on your list. This does not mean you have to do each job. Indeed, you may not want to several key jobs. However, you must know how to do each job. This will give you the power to dismiss employees who need to be let go. It will give you the strength and ability to continue operations if a key employee leaves or is absent from work. Additionally, this knowledge will make it easier for you to hire a replacement should that become necessary. Yet another benefit is that when you understand how each part and how each person functions, you will be better able to handle day-to-day operations.
This is a matter of control – you should be in control of your business operations, not your employees. Remember, it is your business. You must show up like a grown up and make things work. Knowledge about the things needed to make your business run helps you manage your business and employees because it enables you to run from a position of knowledge. Decisions made based upon knowledge are better than decisions made based upon ignorance or wishful thinking.
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In conclusion, it is thrilling to know that you can make your business run better if you know what every department does. So, the question for you this thrilling day is, do you know how everything in your business runs?
I haven’t a clue how my business runs. But then again I don’t really think of what I do as a business. Yet. I need to take some of these tips and consider them for the future.
This is great advice. I think everyone wants to make their business work at its best.
Susan you are smart to do that. I have a friend who is a BIG blogger ,but she cannot add a widget or change a theme herself. When she had a fight with her web designer, her site was down for a week. It cost her advertising money and she had to pay the designer extra.
I am so happy and honored that you found something here that is sueful to you in the real world and may help someone in your circle.
That type of situation just leads to stress, aggravation and a loss of productivity.
Yes, and that stress can be avoided with a little work while things are going well.
Fantastic advice! Thank you for keeping us on our toes 🙂
This is great advice!! I am a teacher and I often feel like the people making decisions for teachers have never been one! They need to see what it’s like from our perspective!
This is great advice. I have been trying to learn a bit about each type of job that goes into being a good blogger, so that I can really rise up.
Very good advice here. I wish more employees would read this and supervisors as well.
Establishing a good rapport with your employees does wonders too.
Great ideas for all business owners. Thank you for sharing.
Everything you wrote regarding employees is so true! As I read this, someone I know came to mind and I believe they would find it useful, I’ll have to share it with him!
I think knowing how everything operates is very important. It also builds confidence in the employees.
I do think every great business owner or manager should know how every department works!
I agree. Owners should be able to step in and do anyone’s role if need be for a number of reasons!
I have to have control so that I know the job gets done right – I wouldn’t do well with having multiple employees.
I need all the help that I can get when it comes to growing my business. I seem to be stuck in a rut right now that I can’t get out of. Thanks for your advice.
i need to go to more blogging and HTML conferences, this has been a bad week for my business.
Very good advice., Something to think about if you are in charge.
Good employees can make or break a business. Especially in higher up positions, like management!
Cathy, what a great point… if anything were to happen to me, I think my hubby would be lost, and my business would probably be lost too.
Thanks for the tips.
I ran a child care for 5 years and we worked like a well oiled machine.
It is so important to know what each person does in your business. I have had jobs in the past where there was no communication and no one knew what anyone else was doing.
I have seen several times what happens when the key person leaves the company. It’s a real mess and stress to other employees.
I definitely agree that a business owner needs to be fully in touch with all aspects of their business. Silent partnerships are nice until something goes wrong.
Such great advice. This could also apply to a household….sometimes I worry how little my husband knows about how to do some of the things I do on a daily basis, especially financial type things.
It’s often hard to find a good job, I don’t think I’d be able to run my own business very well. >.>
I have worked for people that have been completely clueless before. it was horrible.